3 Ways to Change Primary Apple ID Phone Number on iPhone

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 08:07

This wikiHow teaches you how to change the phone number linked to your Apple ID. If you recently changed your phone number, you'll need to update the trusted phone number on your Apple ID so you don't lose access to the two-way authentication and account recovery features. If iMessage and FaceTime are still showing your old phone number, you can fix this through the settings menu (“Settings”) and if your Apple ID is a phone number instead of an email address (usually common in countries like China, India, and some other regions).), you can renew your Apple ID after switching to a new phone number.

Step

Method 1 of 3: Changing Trusted Phone Number

Step 1. Open the iPhone settings menu (“Settings”)

This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon on the home screen or the " Utilities " folder.

By updating your phone number, you can ensure that every time Apple needs to send you a verification code (e.g. when you sign in to your account on a computer), the code will be sent to the correct phone number, and not the old number. In addition, number updates also help you recover your account in case your account is locked at any time

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Step 2. Touch your name at the top of the screen

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Step 3. Select Password & Security

This option is in the first group of settings.

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Step 4. Touch Edit next to " TRUSTED PHONE NUMBER"

These links are shown in blue characters.

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Step 5. Touch Add a Trusted Phone Number

This option is below the trusted phone numbers that still exist.

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Step 6. Enter the new number and contact preferences

Select the country code for your phone number and enter the phone number in the field provided. You will also need to choose a new trusted phone number verification method (eg via a phone call or text message).

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Step 7. Touch Send

It's at the top of the screen. A verification code will be sent to your new phone number if you choose to receive it via text message. If you choose voice dialing, you need to answer the call before you can hear the recorded verification code.

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Step 8. Enter the six-digit verification code sent to the new number

Once verified, the number will be added to the list of trusted numbers.

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Step 9. Touch the red circle with a minus sign next to the number you need to delete

If you don't see this icon, touch “ Edit ” next to " TRUSTED PHONE NUMBER " returns.

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Step 10. Touch Delete

A confirmation message will be displayed.

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Step 11. Touch Continue

Trusted phone numbers are now updated.

Apple advises users to add more than one trusted number in case you can't access your phone at any time. You can use a family member or friend's phone number, or even a Google Voice phone number

Method 2 of 3: Changing Phone Number on iMessage and FaceTime

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Step 1. Open the iPhone settings menu (“Settings”)

This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon on the home screen or the " Utilities " folder. If you recently switched to another cellular service provider or changed phone numbers (with the same network), you may experience problems sending and receiving text messages and FaceTime calls to updating the phone number on iPhone.

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Step 2. Swipe the screen and touch Messages

This option is in the fifth group of settings. Look for the green icon with a white speech bubble inside.

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Step 3. Touch Send & Receive

This option is under the " iMessage " switch.

If the “iMessage” switch is off, touch the switch to activate it

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Step 4. Touch the new phone number

As long as it's connected to the iPhone, the number will appear in the list.

If you don't see the new number, return to the menu " Settings " and select " Phone " If the number does not appear next to " My Number ", touch the field to update your phone number.

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Step 5. Touch the back button twice

You will return to the “Settings” menu after that.

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Step 6. Select FaceTime

This option is under the “Messages” option. Look for the green icon with the video camera in white.

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Step 7. Select a phone number under "You can be reached by FaceTime at" and "Caller ID"

This option ensures that when people call you via FaceTime (or you call them via FaceTime), the call returns the appropriate phone number.

If your old number is still showing in any of these segments, touch the number to uncheck the number

Method 3 of 3: Changing Number If the Apple ID Used Is a Phone Number

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Step 1. Sign out of any devices or apps that you access using your Apple ID

Follow this method if your Apple ID is a phone number (and not an email address) and you want to update your number. Here's how to sign out of your Apple ID on other devices:

Macs:

Go to Apple menu > “ System Preferences ” > “ Apple ID ” > “ Overview ” (if you are using High Sierra or earlier, select “ iCloud ").. Click the button " Sign Out ” in blue, check the boxes next to all the data you want to keep on the computer, select “ Keep a Copy, and click " Keep on This Mac ”.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:

Open the settings menu or “ Settings ”, touch your name, and select “ Sign Out Enter the Apple ID password, touch “ Turn Off ”, check the boxes to save the data, select “ Sign Out ”, and touch the option again to confirm.
iCloud app for Windows:

Open the iCloud for Windows app and click “ Sign Out ”.

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Step 2. Open the iPhone settings menu (“Settings”)

This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon on the home screen or the " Utilities " folder.

If you're moving to another country, you may need to change your area or residence on your iPhone before you can add a new phone number (from your current country). To change the area, go to the settings menu or “ Settings ”, touch your name, and open “ Media & Purchases ” > “ View Account ” > “ Country/Region ” > “ Change Country or Region ”.
If you live in China or India, you can't change your Apple ID phone number to another area. In China, you can only update your Apple ID phone number with another number in the +86 country code. In India, the new number must also have the country code +91.

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Step 3. Touch your name

The name is displayed at the top of the “Settings” menu.

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Step 4. Touch Name, Phone Numbers, Email

This option is the first option.

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Step 5. Touch Edit

This blue link is next to "REACHABLE AT", just above the phone number.

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Step 6. Touch Delete

A confirmation message will be displayed.

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Step 7. Touch Continue and follow the on-screen instructions

The instructions will walk you through the process of adding and verifying a new phone number. Once verified, the new number will be linked to the Apple ID.